And it took everything the top-ranked Red Raiders had. The squad slipped past the host and No. 2 Cougars in the fourth set, 27-25, despite Globe All-Scholastic Julia Flynn’s cannon of an arm Wednesday at a Dig Pink volleyball fundraiser for breast cancer.

“They couldn’t wait to come up here in a small, loud gym with an awesome team, they talked about it all week,” said Turco.

The final set was a point-for-point rally until a timeout late in the match gave the Red Raiders their footing. A hit by senior Ciara Bruning and a series of Cougars errors gave Barnstable the 3-1 win (25-15, 24-26, 25-22, 27-25).

“The thing is we couldn’t be passive. We knew coming in it was going to be a tough match. These kids live for this, this is just a part of who they are,” said Turco.

The Cougars kept it close throughout with Flynn’s jaw-dropping performance at the net.

The loss moves the Cougars to 14-2 after a 3-2 loss to Barnstable on Sept. 24.

The Red Raiders, 15 times the state champion, are unbeaten at 16-0.

Turco’s biggest concern at the beginning of this season was his offense but Bruning (10 kills), Colleen Kenney (seven kills), and Hannah Andres (13 kills) were able to keep the Red Raiders on top despite a second-set loss.

Boys’ cross-country

Newton North 25, Brookline 32 — Senior Gabe Montague set the 5k course record in 15:29, to help the Tigers (11-0) clinch the Bay State League championship. The previous record of 15:34 was set in 2004.

Girls’ cross-country

Hopkinton 22, Ashland 37 — MaryKate Cavanaugh finished first in 17:02 to lead the Hillers. Genna Heaps (17:13) had the top finish for the Clockers.